Can you split 1 usb signal to two devices ?

[Hower]

hello everyone

I am not sure if this is a stupid question or not. But i have a usb home 2.1 system. I am looking to buy a Ps4 in the near future and i was wondering if there is a way i can use my system on both my PC and my PS4 without having to plug in and out cables every time i want to switch between the systems.

Thanks in advance

*SMALL EDIT* because i see it caused some discussion in the comments below. The cable coming out of my 2.1 is a USB-B to a standard USB-A. I need to get that USB-A into 2 devices (my PC and PS4) at the same time

[Bananasplit_00]

you can have a KVM switch?

[dj_ripcord]

Yeah it's possible. But you would need something called a KVM. KVM means Keyboard, Video and Mouse. You would probably only need a small, 2 channel one with USB. But that's what you wanna research to get what you're looking for.

[Hower]

3 minutes ago, Bananasplit_00 said:

you can have a KVM switch?

thanks

[Hower]

3 minutes ago, dj_ripcord said:

Yeah it's possible. But you would need something called a KVM. KVM means Keyboard, Video and Mouse. You would probably only need a small, 2 channel one with USB. But that's what you wanna research to get what you're looking for.

i get it. thank you very much for the response

[Syntaxvgm]

5 minutes ago, Bananasplit_00 said:

you can have a KVM switch?

 

4 minutes ago, dj_ripcord said:

Yeah it's possible. But you would need something called a KVM. KVM means Keyboard, Video and Mouse. You would probably only need a small, 2 channel one with USB. But that's what you wanna research to get what you're looking for.

KVMs are for HID emulation, and are unnecessarily expensive for this. The advantage, with kb/m only, is that they don't make either of the computer think a keyboard has been unplugged.

For OP's purpose, if he wants a switch, a simple usb switch like a printer switch will do the job

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DRG1QHA/

That requires a-b cables for the devices, here's a 3 pack

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UNZ9KBM

 

In addition, the 1 "out" port can be paired with a hub to do multiple devices.

https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-4-Port-Individual-Switches-HB-UMLS/dp/B00BWF5U0M

[Bananasplit_00]

Just now, Hower said:

what's that ?

 

they tend to look like this, it allows you to plug in one pair of perifferals, and then press a switch to switch between being connected to two or more devices

[dj_ripcord]

1 minute ago, Syntaxvgm said:

 

KVMs are for HID emulation, and are unnecessarily expensive for this. The advantage, with kb/m only, is that they don't make either of the computer think a keyboard has been unplugged.

For OP's purpose, if he wants a switch, a simple usb switch like a printer switch will do the job

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DRG1QHA/

That requires a-b cables for the devices, here's a 3 pack

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UNZ9KBM

 

In addition, the 1 "out" port can be paired with a hub to do multiple devices.

 

But what if his device isn't USB-B? That won't help then...

[Syntaxvgm]

Just now, dj_ripcord said:

But what if his device isn't USB-B? That won't help then...

What? Look again. Those are the input ports.

[Hower]

2 minutes ago, Syntaxvgm said:

 

KVMs are for HID emulation, and are unnecessarily expensive for this. The advantage, with kb/m only, is that they don't make either of the computer think a keyboard has been unplugged.

For OP's purpose, if he wants a switch, a simple usb switch like a printer switch will do the job

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DRG1QHA/

That requires a-b cables for the devices, here's a 3 pack

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UNZ9KBM

 

In addition, the 1 "out" port can be paired with a hub to do multiple devices.

 

why would i want to convert it to a different kind of USB during the whole process ? is it possible i can simply get one of these and achieve the same result ?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/UGREEN-Sharing-Keyboard-Scanner-Printer/dp/B01N6GD9JO/ref=sr_1_6?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1543412878&sr=1-6&keywords=kvm+switch

[Syntaxvgm]

7 minutes ago, Hower said:

why would i want to convert it to a different kind of USB during the whole process ? is it possible i can simply get one of these and achieve the same result ?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/UGREEN-Sharing-Keyboard-Scanner-Printer/dp/B01N6GD9JO/ref=sr_1_6?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1543412878&sr=1-6&keywords=kvm+switch

that's significant'y more expensive, does 2 outputs, and it really doens't matter. A-A cables are rare (included here), most people have A-B cables. You do know that most devices use B or mini/micro cables for input right? These are the cords going TO the pc or ps4, you don't have to "convert" anything. this is standard.

Either is an option. If you only want to use 1 device and already have 2 A-b cables (I have like at least 10) this is the cheapest option.

 

Edit

Here's a 2 device one with cables included. This is everything you need here.

https://www.amazon.com/Selector-Computer-Printers-Projector-Keyboard/dp/B01HV1N674

Bit cheaper. Just shop around, and keep in mind that these "printer" ones are the same thing really.

[Hower]

3 minutes ago, Syntaxvgm said:

that's significant'y more expensive, does 2 outputs, and it really doens't matter. A-A cables are rare (included here), most people have A-B cables. You do know that most devices use B or mini/micro cables for input right? I repeat, these are the cords going TO the pc, you don't have to "convert" anything. this is standard.

a tiny bit of clarification. i have edited the topic. the cable coming out of my 2.1 system is a B to A. so the A part plugs into my PC at the moment. that's the end that i need split and going into my PS4 at the same time while still keeping the same USB-B that comes out of my 2.1

[Syntaxvgm]

9 minutes ago, Hower said:

a tiny bit of clarification. i have edited the topic. the cable coming out of my 2.1 system is a B to A. so the A part plugs into my PC at the moment. that's the end that i need split and going into my PS4 at the same time while still keeping the same USB-B that comes out of my 2.1

see my edit on the above post, but I guessed as much. I also forgot they are labeled backwards. The A part from your speakers goes into the A plug.

It's labeled out because most people are putting a printer here.

These plugs are the one that go to the PC and PS4, B end here A end on your device.

They're label as such because people think PC in, out to printer.

 

[Hower]

1 minute ago, Syntaxvgm said:

see my edit on the above post, but I guessed as much. The A part from your speakers goes into the A plug.

It's labeled out because most people are putting a printer here.

These plugs are the one that go to the PC and PS4, B end here A end on your device.

They're label as such because people think PC in, out to printer.

 

 

the part that confuses me is that it says USB A out.... but wouldn't i need a USB A IN because like i said my cable terminates in a USB A and that is what i need to split.

[Syntaxvgm]

15 minutes ago, Hower said:

the part that confuses me is that it says USB A out.... but wouldn't i need a USB A IN because like i said my cable terminates in a USB A and that is what i need to split.

no. It's labeled that way because of its intended use. I have a couple of these, and I like them because of the physical snapping toggle buttons, remind me of an old TV or something. They're very popular with people pairing them with an hdmi switch to make a cheap KVM-like solution (no hid emulation)
The intended use is sharing one printer with multiple pcs- it's labeled as if people are plugging one printer IN to the PCs. But it works the same way with any usb devices. Your computers/consoles go into the IN ports, and the OUT port is your speakers, or maybe a keyboard. I use a USB hub here. It's really just labeled with a different way of thinking, that's all. It's like a pretty dumb box and all it does is move the connection from the A port between the four B ports, as if you were manually moving the device.

[dj_ripcord]

1 hour ago, Syntaxvgm said:

no. It's labeled that way because of its intended use. I have a couple of these, and I like them because of the physical snapping toggle buttons, remind me of an old TV or something. They're very popular with people pairing them with an hdmi switch to make a cheap KVM-like solution (no hid emulation)
The intended use is sharing one printer with multiple pcs- it's labeled as if people are plugging one printer IN to the PCs. But it works the same way with any usb devices. Your computers/consoles go into the IN ports, and the OUT port is your speakers, or maybe a keyboard. I use a USB hub here. It's really just labeled with a different way of thinking, that's all. It's like a pretty dumb box and all it does is move the connection from the A port between the four B ports, as if you were manually moving the device.

Your solution would work but he would need a USB-B Male to USB-A Female adapter. His speakers don't terminate in the same gender or type as the switch you're referring to.

 

1 hour ago, Hower said:

why would i want to convert it to a different kind of USB during the whole process ? is it possible i can simply get one of these and achieve the same result ?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/UGREEN-Sharing-Keyboard-Scanner-Printer/dp/B01N6GD9JO/ref=sr_1_6?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1543412878&sr=1-6&keywords=kvm+switch

This would work fine! And I think it's a little less work to use this than it is to use @Syntaxvgm's solution, albeit more expensive.

[Hower]

6 minutes ago, dj_ripcord said:

Your solution would work but he would need a USB-B Male to USB-A Female adapter. His speakers don't terminate in the same gender or type as the switch you're referring to.

 

This would work fine! And I think it's a little less work to use this than it is to use @Syntaxvgm's solution, albeit more expensive.

thank you for the reply  i thought as much and i was getting kinda confused. just a quick question have you tried doing what i'm trying to do with sound signal or does it just make sense  it should work ? 

[dj_ripcord]

3 minutes ago, Hower said:

thank you for the reply  i thought as much and i was getting kinda confused. just a quick question have you tried doing what i'm trying to do with sound signal or does it just make sense  it should work ? 

Do the speakers work fine with the PS4 already? Like, if you plug them in directly, they work?

[Hower]

2 minutes ago, dj_ripcord said:

Do the speakers work fine with the PS4 already? Like, if you plug them in directly, they work?

i haven't tried that out yet. PS4 arrives next week but i wanted to have this solution before then so i can start testing other stuff straight away. as i have mentioned in the post i am looking to buy one, i dont yet own it

[dj_ripcord]

Well, check that when you get it. If the speakers work when plugged in directly, assuming there are no crazy drivers to install with the switch. All should be well.

[dj_ripcord]

3 minutes ago, Hower said:

i haven't tried that out yet. PS4 arrives next week but i wanted to have this solution before then so i can start testing other stuff straight away. as i have mentioned in the post i am looking to buy one, i dont yet own it

Well check that when you get it. If the speakers work when plugged in directly, and assuming the switch is driverless, all should be peachy

[Syntaxvgm]

1 hour ago, dj_ripcord said:

Your solution would work but he would need a USB-B Male to USB-A Female adapter. His speakers don't terminate in the same gender or type as the switch you're referring to.

 

This would work fine! And I think it's a little less work to use this than it is to use @Syntaxvgm's solution, albeit more expensive.

Again, I think you need to look at what the device does and my other posts. there is no adapter needed, the speakers go into the A port. Jfc.
 

Quote

The cable coming out of my 2.1 is a USB-B to a standard USB-A

2 hours ago, Syntaxvgm said:

see my edit on the above post, but I guessed as much. I also forgot they are labeled backwards. The A part from your speakers goes into the A plug.

It's labeled out because most people are putting a printer here.

These plugs are the one that go to the PC and PS4, B end here A end on your device.

They're label as such because people think PC in, out to printer.

 

wow, look, it terminates in an A port and he plugs them into an A port

the 4 B ports go to the PC or ps4 with standard A-B cables that, not only are they not adapters, but most people have a few of already. I even linked a 2 device version of this switch with the cables included!

2 hours ago, Syntaxvgm said:

Here's a 2 device one with cables included. This is everything you need here.

https://www.amazon.com/Selector-Computer-Printers-Projector-Keyboard/dp/B01HV1N674

Bit cheaper. Just shop around, and keep in mind that these "printer" ones are the same thing really.

I really don't understand what's so confusing about this.

 

edit

 

yah know what? I drew a diagram enjoy

 

Hopefully this makes it clear.